When Randy Sanders resigned, Mike Hamilton knew he had to pull out the checkbook.

"Our pay will be competitive," Hamilton, Tennessee's athletic director, said Tuesday. "I would expect a great deal of interest."

The interest already has poured in from those hoping to be UT's next offensive coordinator. Head coach Phillip Fulmer said he has received several calls from potential candidates since Sanders resigned on Oct. 31.

Hamilton said coordinator hires have become more critical in recent years because of the pressure on athletic departments to compete for championships. That, Hamilton said, has led to an increase in pay for a head coach's right-hand men.

"It's the evolution of the business," Hamilton said.

Hamilton said Sanders made $162,000 per year while defensive coordinator John Chavis makes approximately $250,000 annually.

Hamilton wouldn't specify what UT was willing to pay but said most top coordinators in the SEC make between $200,000 and $300,000.

Fulmer declined to elaborate on UT's search for an offensive coordinator when asked before Monday's practice.

"It hasn't been tough yet," Fulmer said of the time demands, "because I haven't really just delved into it."

Fulmer said he has looked over several potential candidates after UT's practices.

Still Intact: Don't tell Omar Gaither that Tennessee's defense is starting to crack. He doesn't buy it.

"I don't think the defense is cracking at all," the senior linebacker said. "I think we're going to keep playing hard and get ready for this big challenge we have this weekend."

The statistics don't tell the same story.

UT's defense has given up 328 yards a game over its last four contests. In UT's first four games, the Vols allowed 259.5 yards a game.

Third-down-and-long situations have also been a concern over the last month. In UT's last four games, the Vols have given up 23 of 62 (37-percent) third-down conversions.

During that same period, the Vols have given up 9 of 29 (31-percent) third-down conversions of 8 yards or more.

"I don't know what it is about third down," Gaither said. "I guess we just need to play a little tougher and get more pressure on the quarterback."

Return Men: Steve Caldwell, UT's coach who oversees special teams, said freshman Lucas Taylor is a candidate for kickoff and punt returns despite two fumbles last Saturday against Notre Dame.

Caldwell said Taylor's positive contributions to the return game this season have not been forgotten.

Caldwell said sophomore Jonathan Hefney and freshman Demetrice Morley also are being considered for kickoff returns. Hefney is competing with Taylor for punt return duties.